YOU SHOULD BE DANCIN’
Low-impact activity has major benefits

By Francesca Donlan
Originally posted on March 07, 2006

Stephen Hayford/news-press.com • Tom Clouse works to follow Camelle Romero's instruction during a lesson at Romero's Camelle's Art of Dance studio in Cape Coral. Clouse has used the lessons to battle his neurological disorder. Order Picture THE BENEFITS OF DANCING Dancing works like a stress and tension reducer. For people on a hectic schedule it can become a passion that helps you improve your attitude and increase your confidence in both social and business situations. Many people turn to ballroom dance when more traditional exercise programs fall by the wayside, either because of injuries or sheer boredom. Ballroom dance is a low impact activity. This makes it accessible to people of at any age or fitness level. With less emphasis on "going for the burn" and more on having fun, the weight loss, improved circulation and aerobic conditioning emerge as wonderful side effects. Consider these dance facts: •Dance contributes to increased personal confidence. •Olympic athletes often include dance in their training to sharpen their control, agility, speed and balance. •Dance contributes to good posture and body alignment. •Dancing encourages gentle stretching. •Dance increases your flexibility and stamina. •As an aerobic exercise, dance benefits your cardiovascular system as you swing and sway from hips to shoulders. •Some doctors recommend 30 minutes of dance, three times per week. Source: Arthur Murray Dance Studio/Las Vegas.

Tom Clouse lost his physical, mental and spiritual balance because of a neurological disorder.

Clouse, 53, learned he had spinocerebellar atrophy nine years ago. The disorder robbed him of his balance and coordination. It also ended his career as a general surgeon, contributed to personal bankruptcy, the demise of his marriage and depression.

But his life changed again the day Clouse learned to dance.

Last spring, Clouse walked through the doors of Camelle's Art of Dance in Cape Coral. He hoped a dance teacher could help him with his coordination.

"I walked in with a cane," Clouse said. "I looked like a drunk."

Since he first grabbed Camelle Romero's hand for a waltz, he hasn't stopped improving. He's at Romero's studio, which teaches social and ballroom dancing, at least five times a week.

"For the longest time, my wish was to be normal," Clouse said. "I knew I could never run, play ball, ride a bike or dance. It changes everything. You become socially isolated."

But his new dance teacher doesn't believe in never. Romero, 52, has been dancing for 33 years and doesn't know what it's like not to move her body.

"We take it nice and slow," she said. "Whatever their bodies can handle. I modified it to his disability."

Almost a year since Clouse walked through the doors, he's conquered the waltz, fox trot, cha cha, tango and dabbled in some salsa.

"I feel more normal now than I have in 10 years," Clouse said. "Getting there was a real challenge."

Dancing to health

Clouse isn't the only person to enter Romero's dance studio with some kind of challenge.

"Nobody comes in here 100 percent healthy," she said. "Instead of leaving anyone out you work with what you have. Everybody's got problems."

Judy Patterson, 63, of Fort Myers, lost her husband four years ago.

Romero helped her with her balance, posture and self-esteem.

"I have a tendency to be introverted and this helps me be more outgoing and meet other people at dances," Patterson said.

Carol Rose also had a hard time easing into a social life after her husband died three years ago. Rose, 64, of Cape Cod, loved dancing as a child but couldn't get up the nerve up to take a class. She finally took the plunge last spring. Since then, she has lost 20 pounds and made new friends. She's also learning a lot about herself in the process.

"I'm still becoming the woman I want to be," Rose said. "It's OK to let that creative, flirtatious self out in a safe environment. I love getting dressed up and if I've had a bad day this is the place I want to be. I feel alive when I come here."

So does Margie Riordan. The 56-year-old Cape Coral mother began dancing four years ago. When her son was stationed in Iraq last year she described herself as "an emotional wreck."

"Dancing gives you a relief," Riordan said. "You just can't help but feel happy when you're dancing."

Larry Gardener, 53, of Cape Cod started dancing about two years ago.

"It's fun," he said. "My kids are all grown and I'm single. No one is judgmental and Camelle pushes everyone farther than they think they can go."

Romero pushes because she doesn't like to limit her students.

"If you can walk, you can dance," she said. "If they can walk through that door and promise to have a positive attitude, I can help them."

Clouse is a testament to her positive approach.

"It's a lifestyle change," Clouse said. "You learn something fun and you want to repeat it. For many social isolates it teaches us to be social again. It's like a family here. The best friends that I've ever had in my whole life are right here."

Clouse's nephew has seen a dramatic difference in his uncle.

"How haven't I seen him benefit from dance?" he said. "It's a general well-being, more self-esteem and positive outlook."

And it's contagious. At 22, Justin Clouse is the youngest dancer at Camelle's Art of Dance.

"Tom got me dancing," he said. "He dragged me out of the house and it was one of the best decisions I made."

Romero wishes everyone could experience the benefits of dance.

"We move forward," she said. "It's all positive. I don't give them a chance to be negative. I tell them when you go out in the real world take what I give you and blossom. Be the person you want to be."